A Quick Look At The History Of The Bouncy Castle

March 24, 2018

It’s more than fair to say that castles have been around for thousands and thousands of years. Rich with history, there are a number of famous castles around the world that countless people tour and explore every year. But who decided to take the overall shape of a castle and turn it into an inflatable, fun jumping experience? Realizing that Magic Jumpers has yet to touch on the history of the bouncy castle, we figured that we might as well “jump” into it in today’s blog post.

Our Fort Collins Bounce House Service Is Ramping Up For The Summer!

With the spring season in full swing, Northern Colorado is starting to enjoy longer days full of sun and warmth. As the flowers begin to bloom, you might want to start thinking about your next spring or summer outdoor party. What’s the party essential you need to really take things to the next level? Shameless plug: A bouncy castle rental from Magic Jumpers! Whether you’re in Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Berthoud, Longmont or anywhere near Northern Colorado, Magic Jumpers is your go-to source for bounce house rentals.

American Origins

In the grand scheme of history, bouncy castles haven’t been around all that long, as it turns out. Bouncy castles, as we know them today, can be traced back to 1959. A man by the name of John Scurlock, a resident of Shreveport, Louisiana, is credited for the early development of the “modern” bounce house.

Inflatable Solutions Leading To Exciting Developments

Scurlock was bent on finding inflatable solutions for tennis court and swimming pools covers — the idea was to create an inflatable cover to protect the court (or pool) from environmental damage. However, instead of developing a practical cover, Scurlock quickly noticed that his team of employees were bouncing on the air-filled covers. Here’s the thing: They were really enjoying it!

The Rise Of Space Walk

Capitalizing on this fun-filled observation, Scurlock decided to design an “inflatable kids moonwalk,” which essentially consisted of a large air mattress which he later added walls onto. Initially dubbing his business as “Space Walk,” (due to the lightweight feeling users had when jumping), this early development occurred in the late 1960s. However, it wasn’t until 1976 that support netting was added.

Moonwalk Rental Company

Going back to 1969, Frances Scurlock, John’s wife, launched the Moonwalk Rental Company. They rented inflatable bouncy castles, charging $19.95 for a 24-hour rental — a steal by today’s numbers, but very expensive back in the late 60s. Initially generating a great deal of interest at fairs and carnivals, the early bouncy castle eventually went on to become wildly successful around the world!

The Perfect Fort Collins Bounce House Rentals At Magic Jumpers

Now that we’ve paid a little homage to something that we’re passionate about, why not join in on the fun this spring and summer? With great jumper rental prices and a variety of inflatables to choose from, our bounce house rental company is the perfect source to rent a bouncy castle for the day. Get in touch with Magic Jumpers today to get started!